The government is preparing to renew Employment Permit System (EPS) with South Korea.
The issue was discussed during the meeting of the Ambassador of South Korea to Nepal Park Chong-suk with Minister for Labor, Employment, and Social Security Krishna Kumar Shrestha. During the meeting held at the Ministry in Singha Durbar, the relations between the two countries, mutual interests, and concerns were discussed.
Minister Shrestha urged Ambassador Park to expedite the bilateral agreement on the Employment Permit System (EPS), which has been in the process of renewal since 2020. Ambassador Park said that necessary preparations will be made to renew the EPS agreement as soon as possible. The last bilateral agreement on EPS between the governments of Nepal and South Korea in 2007 was last renewed in 2018. Since then, the renewal process has not progressed.
As 10,000 Nepalis who have passed the language test are in the process of going to Korea, Minister Shrestha also requested to make arrangements for their speedy departure.
He also urged to increase the quota under EPS. South Korea has been taking Nepali workers since 2008 by allocating quotas. Under the EPS system, foreigners from 16 countries work in Korea. Ambassador Park said that the South Korean government is positive to increase the number of Nepali workers under EPS.
Stating that 2,000 Nepali passers who passed the language test under EPS in 2018 could not participate in the process due to the termination of their roster, Minister Shrestha requested to extend the deadline and participate in the process. He said the ministry was preparing to start the language test for those seeking employment in South Korea under the EPS from May 30.
